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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.05061 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0101] July-August 1791 |
| Title | Henry Knox to Alexander Macomb on Macomb's pending marriage, the birth of Knox's tenth child and land matters |
| Date | 10 July 1791 |
| Author | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) |
| Recipient | Macomb, Alexander |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Business and financial document |
| Content Description | Says that a Mr. [Reynal] called on him with Macomb's letter of 6 July. Was not there to receive him and missed [Reynal] when he went to town today. Hopes to see him tomorrow. Delivered to Lucy Knox the news of Macomb's pending marriage. He joins her in wishing him the best. Reports that Lucy gave birth to their tenth child on 8 July. Says the mother and daughter are both "in a good way." Is "well satisfied you have authorized Mr. Gouverneur Morris to sell the ... Lawrence Lands." Hopes Morris will get a good price for him. Describes Morris as "an able negociator." Thanks Macomb for offering to let him stay at his house in New York. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War General Letter of Introduction or Recommendation Marriage Women's History Children and Family Health and Medical Land Transaction Waldo Patent Finance Friendship Entertaining and Hospitality |
| People | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Macomb, Alexander (1748-1831) Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816) |
| Place written | Bush Hill, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | Merchants & Commerce; Women in American History; Children & Family; Health & Medicine |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | Alexander Macomb, Sr. was a prosperous merchant with Loyalist sympathies during the American Revolution. In Detroit, Michigan, during the Revolution, along with his brother, William Macomb, he traded with British and Native Americans, giving them supplies in exchange for furs. After the war, Macomb moved to New York City and became a land speculator and shipping magnate, purchasing tracts of land in Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. In 1788, he built a magnificent home, which in 1790 was leased to become the president's home, occupied by George Washington. In 1791, Alexander Macomb purchased the largest tract yet, from the State of New York, 3,670,715 acres, since known as "Macomb's Purchase." The tract included much of northern New York, along the St. Lawrence River and eastern Lake Ontario, including the Thousand Islands, at about twelve cents an acre. The purchase was divided into ten large townships. From this purchase are derived the deeds for all the lands that are now included in Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Franklin Counties, as well as portions of Herkimer and Oswego Counties. The enterprise was a failure; sales of land did not keep pace with the due dates for payments, and Macomb was taken to debtor's prison during the Panic of 1792, over $300,000 in debt. He never regained his fortune. Six of his sons served during the War of 1812. His son Alexander Macomb, Jr., was a hero at the Battle of Plattsburgh and later was commander in chief of the United States Army. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |